Ex-care nurse struck off
A former registered nurse at a care home has been struck off by the industry watchdog after admitting she put patients at‘unwarranted risk of harm.’
Patricia Clarke failed to document a patient’s fall in her daily record at Belhaven House Care Home in Troon’s Craigend Road.
And on another occasion she failed to conduct a risk assessment, create an updated care plan, or put in place a fluid and observation chart for a patient coming home from hospital.
The decision to strike Clarke’s name off the registered nursing register was made during a substantive order review meeting this week of the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) fitness to practise committee.
The offences took place between May 2016 and August 2016 and warranted an investigation by the NMC.
A report presented at last week’s hearing said Mrs Clarke had“reengaged”with proceedings but this engagement had been“minimal”and she“had not addressed”the recommendations made by a previous panel.
The report goes on:“The panel noted that Mrs Clarke has stated in correspondence that she is currently working as a carer in the community.
“But there was no further information to suggest that she has remediated the deficiencies found in her nursing practice, or kept her nursing skills and knowledge up to date.
“The panel, therefore, considered that a real risk of repetition remains and that patients would be placed at risk of harm if Mrs Clarke were able to practise as a nurse without restriction.”
The fitness to practise committee concluded:“This panel had no information from Mrs Clarke, since the last review hearing, to demonstrate that the concerns of the substantive panel had been addressed.
“She has not provided a reflective piece or any evidence of insight into her misconduct, nor has she provided any evidence that she has taken steps to remediate her misconduct.
“In light of this lack of information and Mrs Clarke’s lack of engagement, the panel concluded that her fitness to practise remains impaired on the grounds of public protection.”
Clarke’s striking off order will come into effect upon expiry of her current suspension order on October 5.